Author: admin

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Gospel: Luke 7: 24-30

When the messengers of John the Baptist had left,
Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John. 
“What did you go out to the desert to see  a reed swayed by the wind? 
Then what did you go out to see? 
Someone dressed in fine garments? 
Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously
are found in royal palaces. 
Then what did you go out to see? 
A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 
This is the one about whom Scripture says:

    Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
    he will prepare your way before you.

I tell you,
among those born of women, no one is greater than John;
yet the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he.”
(All the people who listened, including the tax collectors,
who were baptized with the baptism of John,
acknowledged the righteousness of God;
but the Pharisees and scholars of the law,
who were not baptized by him,
rejected the plan of God for themselves.)

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Can you remember as a child toying with an old car radio? 

You have to adjust the dial, getting the indicator to land on a station “just right” – not too far to the left, not too far to the right.

“Just right.”

If it was one click off, then all you’d hear was static.

Today we just hit the SEEK button and PRESTO the radio finds the next available station for us. 

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But fiddling with an old radio reminds me of what Advent is all about.  

Just as we had to work to find the right radio station, so we have to fine tune our hearts to hear God speak. One click too far to the right or to the left produces static, muffling his voice.

We have to dial down the distractions – the noise of the holidays, shopping, iPhones, televisions, and computers – and turn up the time we spend in prayer and reflection, preparing ourselves for the second coming of the Lord.

Only then – when there is silence – can we hear the Lord speak to us.

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So, what has my Advent journey been like? Have I been able to dial down the distractions and turn up time spent in prayer, pondering spiritual things? 

Or is there still static buzzing within?

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In ten days, we will celebrate Christmas. Keep fiddling with that little dial in your heart, making time for the Lord.

Only when it’s silent within will you be able to hear Jesus speak.

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Image credits: (1) Advent Journey, mycatholicireland.net (2) Philkotse (3) Meg Hunter-Kilmer, Advent Boot Camp 2020

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Gospel: Luke 7: 18-23

At that time,
John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask,
“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” 
When the men came to the Lord, they said,
“John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask,
‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’”
At that time Jesus cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits;
he also granted sight to many who were blind. 
And Jesus said to them in reply,
“Go and tell John what you have seen and heard:
the blind regain their sight,
the lame walk,
lepers are cleansed,
the deaf hear, the dead are raised,
the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. 
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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As we draw closer to the celebration of Christmas, and the days of the year grow darker, we honor the life of John of the Cross, a 16^th century mystic known for his writings about the soul’s journey to God. 

In nearly every journey, he says, one encounters some level of spiritual darkness… that feeling of God being absent. 

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It may happen when we lose a loved one. When stuck in quarantine. When under added amounts of stress. When battling temptation. Or when our prayer life runs dry.

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God doesn’t disappear in these moments; quite the opposite.

Sometimes God allows the darkness – the feeling of his absence- to settle in to test our spirit. To give us opportunities to reject temptation. To persevere in prayer. To wait patiently for his consolation to return.

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When has my prayer life run dry? Or when have I felt like God was absent?

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Saint John teaches us to never give up hope. When the well runs dry, double-down and re-commit yourself to the Lord.

As we read in scripture:

“God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10: 13).

Even the most difficult days can draw our soul closer to God. Sometimes it just boils down to perseverance, trusting God is present, even when we cannot feel his embrace.

Saint John of the Cross, pray for us.

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Image credits: (1) anastpaul.com (2) reflectionsonthesacredliturgy.com (3) Prince of Peace Church

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Gospel: Matthew 21: 28 -32

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
“What is your opinion? 
A man had two sons. 
He came to the first and said,
‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ 
The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’
but afterwards he changed his mind and went. 
The man came to the other son and gave the same order. 
He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. 
Which of the two did his father’s will?” 
They answered, “The first.” 
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you,
tax collectors and prostitutes
are entering the Kingdom of God before you. 
When John came to you in the way of righteousness,
you did not believe him;
but tax collectors and prostitutes did. 
Yet even when you saw that,
you did not later change your minds and believe him.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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When the English author G.K. Chesterton was asked, “What is wrong with the world?” 

He replied, “I am.”

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Most of us would answer differently.

What’s wrong with the world?

Politics. Greed. Terrorism. Corruption. Racism. COVID. Wildfires. The flu.

Anything – and anyone – but me.

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Why would Chesterton, a devout Christian, say he’s part of what’s wrong with the world?

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He wasn’t taking personal responsibility for all of the world’s problems. But he was acknowledging the role he’s played in perpetuating them.

Like the first son in today’s Gospel, Chesterton admits to ignoring his conscience at times, to saying “no” to doing his Father’s will. 

Whether that meant clinging to a grudge; indulging in food or drink; being selfish; gossiping; or whatever his sins may have been.

But, like that first son, Chesterton also repented – and tried to be better. 

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That’s an important part of our Advent journeys – acknowledging those areas where we’ve fallen short. Or, you might say, have been part of the “problem.”

We acknowledge our shortcomings, repent, and strive to be better.

So, what’s wrong with the world?

At times, I am. But Advent is an appointed time for all of us to change.

What might that look like for me today?

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Image credits: (1) petesantucci.com, Chesterton (2) Orthodoxy, Chesterton (3) Journeywithus.asia